Irelis Rivera is $234 heavier in the purse after she recently won a weight-loss challenge involving residents of Brookside Terrace Apartments, a 168-unit housing complex on Route 131.

Ms. Rivera dropped 22 pounds in 12 weeks.

Beyond the prize, the 28-year-old gained a commitment toward healthy living through the competition; she said she works out six days a week at the Tri-Community YMCA, takes the time to prepare her meals instead of eating out and aims to lose another 100 pounds and run in a 5-kilometer race.

The Brookside competition was so popular among its residents that its partner, Harrington Hospital of Southbridge, has opened the challenge to include a number of area fitness centers.

The program, called Weight No More, Community Weight Loss Challenge, starts next month.

The Tri-Community YMCA in Southbridge, Focus Fitness in the Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center, the Oxford Community Center in Oxford, Sims Premier Fitness in Charlton and Everybody's Fitness in Sturbridge have joined Brookside and Harrington.

There will be one male and female winner based on the largest percentage of body fat lost.

Anyone who wants to enter the 12-week competition will pay a $25 registration fee, and all money will go to winners, according to Betsy Peppel, Harrington's community wellness outreach coordinator.

In the event of a tie, the money will be split.

Harrington Hospital's body fat analyzer scale will be used to gauge the progress.

In addition, each participating fitness facility will have its own raffles and incentives, organizers said.

The fitness centers will give extra attention to their challenge members, but one does not have to be a member of the gyms to participate in the competition, Ms. Peppel said.

Tom Nutile, a Harrington spokesman, said one of the reasons the hospital is doing this is in response to its health needs assessment results, which show that obesity, diabetes and proper nutrition are concerns of the residents in this area.

Ms. Peppel said there are wonderful health benefits of fitness. It helps reduce cardiovascular risks, which includes blood pressure and cholesterol. Losing weight can help diabetics get the condition under control, even those with Type 2, she said. It can also help reduce the risk of cancers, she said.

Each fitness center and coach will take turns giving weekly fitness tips.

Ms. Salkiewicz of Thompson will be raffling off eight free wellness-coaching sessions from her business, Pivotal Changes, as well as a makeover from Studio MOOD of Sturbridge, to which she is also connected.

“We want to give back, we want to reach out and help whoever needs help, and sometimes they can't afford it and we just want to do our part,” she said.

During Friday's planning session at Harrington HealthCare at Charlton, Ms. Salkiewicz got on the scale and was pleased to learn that her body-fat composition was just 14 percent, which was ideal for her age, 48, according to Ms. Peppel.

Ms. Barnes, of Charlton, said she will raffle a three-month personal health coaching program, valued at $400. She said she wants to be a part of promoting better health.

John Zienowicz, health and fitness director at the Tri-Community YMCA, which will raffle three hours of personal training and nutrition counseling, said the competition is directly within his job description at the community-based organization focused on healthy body, mind and spirit. He said he's been “railing” for years to get everybody in one place to join in and do something.

“This is going to be fun,” he said.

Brookside has had three weight-loss competitions in the past 12 months, said Wanda Viruet, a resident service coordinator who has lost 40 pounds during the year. Brookside property manager and diabetic Christine Bogdahn, who has lost 45 pounds overall, won the first two competitions.

Ms. Viruet said the program has also impacted residents' children.

“They're mimicking what their parents are doing. It started becoming this great epidemic. The kids are wanting to eat healthier,” she said.

The competition started as a spinoff of “The Biggest Loser” TV program, Ms. Viruet said.

The low-income housing facility got Harrington involved, and now the fitness centers, because they are the experts in helping fight obesity, she said.

The apartment complex does not have a fitness facility. But it will provide Zumba classes for a fee during the next 12-week competition, as well as a free walking program.

Longer term, markers will be put up around the complex to note how many miles residents have walked, Ms. Viruet said.

Brookside will raffle a month's free rent for a current resident or anyone who recently signed a lease and who enrolls in the community weight-loss program.

Brookside's monthly rents are $698 for one-bedroom apartments and up to $1,156 for four bedrooms, she said.

“We really believe in this,” Ms. Viruet said. “It's really exciting that the families here are motivated to be involved, and if that (month's rent) can help toward groceries, or they want to get a bicycle, something to help them toward this journey, so be it.”

The kickoff weigh-ins and health fairs are set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 7 in the lobby at Harrington Hospital, Southbridge; 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 7 at Brookside Terrace, 11 Village Drive, Southbridge; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 8 at Harrington Healthcare at Hubbard, 340 Thompson Road, Webster; and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 8 at Harrington Healthcare at Charlton, 10 North Main St., Charlton.

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